The Growing Up Program (by Family Planning Tasmania) and Working It Out programs are pushing gender ideology on children from Kindergarten onwards under the department of education Supporting Sexuality, Sex and Gender Diversity in Schools Policy and Procedure framework.
Both programs are largely funded by the Tasmanian Government. Through it, school children as young as 4 are taught about identity, sexual body parts, diversity, respectful language, and exploring body changes. This raises serious concerns about the sexualisation of young children, as well as affirmation and encouragement of gender ideology. Gender ideology is known to confuse children and may pressure vulnerable kids into decisions about social transition that can carry significant long-term consequences.
Those programs have drawn strong criticism from parents and carers for the above reasons but also over transparency issues, child safety standards, age-inappropriate content, and a lack of professional boundaries. Some parents’ reports include:
- 9-10 y.o students being taught that some kids are born in the wrong body.
- 11-12 y.o. students discussing sex positions after lessons, with teachers saying “if kids ask, then they have to explain it”.
- 11 y.o. boys being told that having a penis does not make them boys.
And here are some of the Working it Out books approved and recommended to students. They promote gender diversity, identity exploration, and challenging stereotypes from the early primary years onward.
Although parents are invited to participate on the information sessions before the program starts, the actual teaching materials remain inaccessible. This raises important concerns about compliance with child safety principles. Some parents have also reported that sessions have been delivered without prior notice, permission slips, or opportunities to review content.
That’s why ACL is calling for the removal of the programs from schools. We’re also calling for full transparency in what’s taught, so parents can know exactly what their children are learning, without secrecy.
It is crucial that we urge our MPs to:
- Protect parents’ role as primary decision makers
- Stand up for children’ safety
- Require education to be based on biological facts and move gender ideology from schools
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Teaching in those areas for young children must match their developmental stage, be grounded in biological facts, and centred on safeguarding them. Primary school age children should never be exposed to adult concepts or ideological frameworks.
Despite receiving substantial government funding, both providers withhold from parents the very materials being used to instruct their children. This lack of transparency directly contradicts Principle 3 of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, which requires openness with families and genuine engagement on matters affecting a child’s safety and wellbeing.
While schools can opt out of the program, few do and simply trust the third-party providers. Teachers are also encouraged to participate in the sessions. Many parents only learn about what their children were really taught after the fact, once the exposure has already happened.
